Rome -
Despite Pope Francis saying homosexuals have "gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community" and a push by LGBT rights groups for a more accepting Catholic Church, the Vatican has backed away from its "Welcoming Homosexual Persons" stance.

A controversy over same-sex relationships has arisen in the Church of Ireland after it became known that the Dean of Leighlin (Carlow), the Very Reverend Tom Gordon, married his same-sex partner of 20 years in a civil ceremony at a registry in July.

At least six Catholic bishops who received service vehicles purchased out of government funds have decided to return them to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the government agency that released the funds.

It’s never been easy being gay – especially gay and religious. It’s got better in some countries – and in my own, the UK, it’s almost cool, and there are laws to protect homosexuals against discrimination.

Abortion was on the back burner during this election cycle but U.S. Catholic Bishops are a gathering force determined to pit Catholic faithful against Barack Obama. Obama’s extreme pro-choice stance is forcing many Catholics to take a second look.